Page 57 of High Rise Secrets
After spending some much-needed time reflecting on everything, I feel ready to head back to Atlanta to face my decisions. I’m lucky to haveRISEfor now, but I know that’s not going to be enough for me for long. I have too many ambitions and dreams to be stuck at the club for the rest of my life.
It’s an overcast day; rain is supposed to be moving in soon. I want to hit the road so I can avoid it if possible. I drive to the graveyard to say my goodbyes before I head out of town again. I slow down and narrow my eyes as I get close to the plot. I see the flowers I put there, but there is another set at each of their headstones. I turn off the car and get out, walking up to the site I know so well.
There is a small sheet of paper under the flowers in front of my mom’s grave, and I pick it up with shaky fingers.
You’re the one, Addison. I’ll do anything to prove it to you. I’ll wait for you.
I look around for the familiar brown eyes that these words belong to. Ethan is here. He followed me. I know there is no way in hell the girls would have told him I came here, which means I only have Landry to blame.
Fresh tears fall from my eyes as I clutch the paper to my chest. My Ethan.
“Mom, what am I going to do?” I ask, looking to the sky. I wipe my face, and for a fleeting moment, the clouds part and the sun’s rays shine down on me, the light seemingly focused on the small bit of paper in my hands. The parting closes, and I’m thrust into the cloudy morning again.
“I don’t know if I can trust him again, Mom. The way he acted…”
I shake my head at my foolishness. I want to forgive him, call him, run to him so bad my heart aches. What am I going to do now?
Light raindrops fall on my cheeks and exposed arms.Looks like the rain is coming a little sooner than I thought.I slide my hand over the top of the three gravestones as a final parting and then climb back into my car. I pull up a new group chat with the girls to let them know I’m on my way back. Of course, Eden is the first to respond.
Eden:You sure you don’t need more time? We have everything taken care of here.
Me:No, I’m fine. I need to get back and get everything sorted out with my life. I’ll see you in a while.
* * *
Even though thedrive was about seven hours, I don’t remember half of it. My mind was on a certain sexy CEO the entire time. At moments, my mind went to those dark places to relive the way he treated me when he thought I’d hurt him, but most of them were trying to sort him out. I pull into my parking spot at my apartment, and the doorman ushers me inside with a tip of his hat. I offer a small smile but continue on my way.
I stop at Eden's door, my hand poised and ready to knock to let her know I’m back, but decide against it at the last second. I need some time to sort everything out. I head for my apartment instead and plop down on the couch.
My phone rings with an unknown number, and I think about ignoring it, but pick it up at the last second instead.
“Hello?” I ask.
“Hello. Is this Ms. Snyder?” a male voice asks.
“Yes, who is this?”
“My name is Clive Dumurs.”
Why is one of the board members from Emulation calling me?“I’m sorry, Mr. Dumurs, I am no longer with the company. I gave Mr. Freeman my notice, effective immediately.”
“Yes, I heard. I have a proposition for you and wanted to know if you could come down to discuss it? I’ll make it worth your time.” Chills run down my spine with his words.I’ll make it worth your time.Instantly, I feel cold and rub my arms to ward off the feeling. When I don’t respond right away, he continues. “We have a job opening you would be perfect for. It would come with substantial compensation.”
“Why isn’t Aiden in HR contacting me about this opportunity?”
Warning. Warning.
“I wanted to speak with you personally about it.”
“Does the position report directly to Mr. Freeman?”
“No, it doesn’t. You would be working for me. How about you come down to the office tonight, after the workday, so we can discuss it in further detail? Please, Ms. Snyder. I’m just asking you to hear me out.”
I sigh and relent, agreeing to come to the office at around six tonight to speak with him. I already know, whatever it is, I’m going to turn him down. I can’t work at that company anymore. Especially if it would be working for Mr. Dumurs because I don’t know if I could keep my heart from breaking if I saw Ethan every day.
I stroll up to the familiar building around five-fifty and take the elevator to the top floor, to the conference rooms. I notice a round, albeit tall man standing by the window, peering out over the Atlanta skyline. I rub my sweaty palms on my black dress slacks and tuck some hair behind my ear before pushing open the door like I own the place.
Rule one of being in business: self-confidence.I have no lack of that, especially when I channel my inner Madam Ember for this meeting. I did some research on him before I came here tonight—always know who you’re dealing with.